Amsterdam Pursues Goal to Totally Ban All Cruise Ships by 2035

After announcing limitations for cruise ships just over six months ago, Amsterdam is taking an even harsher stance toward the cruise industry.

Previously, the capital of the Netherlands had decided to cut ship visits in half starting in 2026 and to relocate the cruise passenger terminal from its current location in the heart of the city to the east of the city by 2035.

This was done in an effort to mitigate pollution and improve air quality in the city center, which has been a hot topic in the port as far back as 2023. Overtourism has also been a source of contention.

But instead of moving the cruise terminal as planned, Amsterdam’s coalition government is now in favor of banning all ocean-faring cruise ships by 2035.

Smaller river cruise vessels would still be permitted with a maximum of 1,150 calls per year, which is about half the number of river ship calls in recent years.

Phasing out ocean cruise ships would most efficiently deliver the desired “clear sustainability and environmental gains” for the city, Alderman Hester van Buren stated.

“We are finally going to free Amsterdam from these floating apartment blocks. They pollute our air, are bad for the climate, bring hordes of tourists into our city, and block a bridge over the IJ,” Party Leader Rob Hofland echoed.

Amsterdam would join other European countries in implementing a cruise ship ban, including Spain (Barcelona, Majorca, and Valencia), France (Nice, Cannes, Marseille, and Bordeaux), and Greece (Santorini and Mykonos).

However, it would be the first city to ban seagoing vessels entirely rather than setting stricter limitations regarding factors like ship size, passenger capacity, and where ships are allowed to dock.

Cost is a Factor

The cost to relocate the existing cruise terminal seems to be a key factor in the coalition government’s desire to throw out the original plan.

According to van Buren, it would cost upwards of €85 million (or around $99.3 million USD) to relocate the cruise terminal, which is an investment she is not sure the city would eventually recoup.

Meanwhile, the alderman says that blocking cruise ships would cost Amsterdam’s economy an estimated €46 million (around $53.7 million) over the next three decades.

However, she has a plan in place to recover these losses, which includes redeveloping the Veemkade – a modernized, waterside area that is now known for its dining, unique event spaces, and housing.

She would also repurpose the Coenhaven, which is a significant part of the Port of Amsterdam in the western harbor area.

When Will a Decision be Made?

Before anyone panics, it’s important to keep in mind that this plan is not final.

The proposal will be ironed out over the next several months, and will be handed over to the next coalition government when they take office following the local elections in March of 2026.

The newly elected officials will ultimately decide on the proposed plan before putting it to the City Council, and there is no set timeline on when that may occur.

The proposal could undergo significant changes and/or potentially be thrown out before all is said and done.

The Impact to Cruising

2035 is still nearly a decade away, which means cruise guests are unlikely to experience any immediate impact if the ban passes.

While the cruise lines often release sailings for booking several years in advance, they still haven’t gotten far enough to warrant itinerary changes related to this. If the ban does take effect, future itineraries will be planned to skip Amsterdam.

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Instead, cruise brands may set their sights on Rotterdam, which is only around 45 miles away and is already known as Europe’s largest seaport.

The close proximity between these destinations should also protect most of the desirable shore excursions and tours that guests would have taken from Amsterdam.